Well, this day just sucked. Not because he was home, and not because of the amazing warm weather the Southern California region was experiencing right now. No, the day sucked because although the weather was top notch and he would take this over the freezing winds and rainy days they had been having in Vancouver, there were absolutely no waves. None. If he had bothered to check the weather before he got up early and bugged Rocky with a zillion phone calls to meet him at the beach, he, check that, they, wouldn't be willing the ocean to make random waves. Kolinahr wasn't going to do shit for them right now and Ross, well, this was the basis of his entire day. Surfing, snacking, sleeping. That was it. His board sat by him, all tucked in by the creamy color sand, almost begging him to take it in the water, but what was the point if there were no waves?

Ross looked to the other side of him, watching as Rocky took the opportunity to get in the rest of his 10-hour sleep that he had woken him from. With Riker in New York for Grease, Ryland doing who the hell knows what and Ellington and Rydel putting their new wedding plans in motion, he personally had nothing really big to do until the coming weekend, and presumed Rocky didn't either, as he was just coming off producing a new record. But he could've been wrong. In all honesty, he just didn't want to get up early for the surf alone. So, why not torture the older brother?

He had wrapped up Permafrost for the moment, with Joseph's storyline coming into a twist where he decides to go home instead of staying in the Antarctica they discovered. The storyline was interesting and he was looking forward to being that character who broke the rules and screwed all the well laid plans up. His and Joseph's return was something he was definitely looking forward to. But for now, his mind was back on Into Thin Air and this coming weekend was the first round of American press for the movie. They had a press conference first thing Saturday morning followed by the press and family & friends screening later that night. The next day, they'd be back at the same hotel for individual press interviews.

Sunglasses on his eyes, Ross planted his back onto the soft towel he'd stolen from the closet this morning. Since there wasn't any waves coming in, might as well work on a tan that he could keep for a while.

"Dude, you written anything new, song wise?" Rocky's question kind of startled him, as he was sure the 26-year-old was definitely in a deep sleep.

"Sort of. Got about three fully done. But only base chords and lyrics. Nothing that I'd want to record and share. You thinking about the next album?"

"Always thinking about it. Always."

"You got about ten, don't you?"

"More like twenty," Rocky propped himself up on the back of his elbows, looking out to the calm ocean. "Being in a studio all day for the past six months with amazing songwriters gets you inspired."

"Full songs?"

Rocky nodded. "I've got one that I think would be a perfect song for Del and Ell. For their wedding."

"Nice," Ross smiled. "You wanna start thinking about the next album?"

"I talked with Riker about it a little. He's game after Grease promo. I think you're the wild card in it all. Since you have this new series now, and the movie."

"How long is his promo?"

"No idea," Rocky answered quickly, as Ross snorted. "I may live with him, but that's about it. We have a line in the middle of all rooms. He stays on his side, and me on mine."

Ross snorted, shaking his head a little. "Tell me your ideas."

And Rocky did just that, and they weren't just any ideas. They were brilliant ones. They involved free surprise concerts, and hidden songs over the internet and writing sessions over Skype because he was going to be in Vancouver again soon and then all over the world. His ideas involved new fans and the old ones that never left them; the ones that demanded they toured the world, the ones they all fell in love with and even formed great friendships with. He was planning on getting everyone in the studio, no matter if it was separately or all together, to lay down tracks for the first song - that he was sending to everyone on his phone at this very moment.

"This looks good, man."

"When doesn't it?" Rocky gloated. "Hey, how's things with you and Laura?"

"They're good."

"Just good?"

Ross stared down at Rocky as he flipped over onto his stomach. He knew the dark headed one was after more than just that.

"Seriously. Just checking on ya after that whole ridiculous article thing. Gotta make sure she's keeping good on her promise."

"And seriously, what have you done with my real brother? You have to be from Pluto or something."

Rocky pointed at him. "Pluto is awesome dude. It has a heart."

Flinging some sand his way, the two brothers talked a bit more about music and made a plan to spend the rest of the day working on new stuff. It wasn't like he had anything pressing to do during the day and Rocky was always up for a jam session. Hours had passed from him picking up his guitar at the apartment and heading back to Rocky's place, where he had been sitting in the same spot for the entire time. But within those hours, they had come up with two new ideas for tracks and started to write them together. It brought back all the good memories of them holing themselves up in the garage studio (which they still had) or in a hotel room while on the road and coming out with songs that ultimately made their albums. It was a good feeling.

His eyes darted down to his phone as a text from Laura came up, making him pause on his chords he was playing with Rocky.

Still at Rocky's?

He texted back quick with a yes, his fingers flying over the small keys before he returned them to the guitar.

Bringing pizza.

Yep, he still had the best partner ever. He had fully moved on from just calling her his girlfriend now. Especially after his last visit. They'd talked, they'd fought a little, and then they made up like rabbits. He had thought they were close before, considering they've known each other for more than ten years, but going through the rumors and stories coming out almost everyday for the past few weeks that scrutinized their relationship, made them even stronger. He truly thought and believed now that they could actually go through anything - God forbid - and come out on the other side as one of those couples who proved everyone wrong.

"Do that chord again," Rocky pointed out, breaking his thoughts about him and Laura and back to the song. His fingertips, which were getting callused and bruised now, strummed the strings that made the entire room hum. "Keep going. I want to get this recorded."

They spent another half hour getting the base song recorded on Rocky's Macbook and listening back to it, it wasn't actually that bad. They now just needed Ellington to add in his beat and Rydel to get her keys in on it. But that would have to wait until a bit later, when the Moms let them out of wedding planning 101 for the day. In between working on the songs, the two brothers had wondered about the duo's upcoming nuptials. All Ross knew was that Rydel had come back from her weekend away with Laura to San Francisco and completely changed everything.

Instead of the black tie affair that his mom had been dreaming of since Rydel was possibly born, they'd be heading north to a little vineyard that apparently had the "most tranquil gardens in the world", according to his sister. He was just happy that they were finally getting what they wanted and not just what Stormie and Cheryl wanted.

"You need to uninvite him."

Speak of the devil, Rydel waved to the two inside the apartment while still continuing her conversation with Ellington...which, by the sounds of it, sounded like wedding stuff.

"I'm not un-inviting my uncle, Rydel. He's family."

"But he's that uncle. You know, the one who will embarrass the hell out of you, out of me, drink all the wine we've ordered in a half hour and go on to possibly ruin our wedding."

Ellington collapsed on the couch by Ross, shutting his mouth before he said something else to tick her off.

"I'm not budging on this," she told him, heading to the bathroom.

Ellington pulled one of the only pillows Riker and Rocky actually owned to his face, screaming out the frustration. He held it close to his chest, wrapping his arms around it and let out an even deeper breath. "The guest list has been done for three weeks, and save the dates sent out. How am I supposed to tell my dad's brother he isn't invited?"

"Yea," Rocky shook his his head. "We're not touching that with a ten foot pole, man. She's yours to deal with now," he pointed back towards where Rydel was inside the bathroom.

"But, it's my uncle! I can just see my dad's eyes falling out of his head after I tell him his drinking buddy can't be there."

Ross shrugged his shoulders, placing his guitar flat on his lap. "Still not getting into this, but good luck with that."

"Come on," Ellington complained. "I did not appoint you all best men just because you're her brothers. Gimme some advice here."

Ross looked over to Rocky, both of their eyes saying the same thing - that they still didn't want to get involved. But then again, they were his groomsmen, they did have an obligation to give him some sort of advice, weren't they? Ross thought on that, coming to the decision that Ellington had already been with Rydel for over five years, he should know how to handle this by now. Shaking his head, he wasn't going to get into this.

"You suck, you know that?" Ellington punched him in the arm.

Rydel resurfaced from the bathroom, picking up where she left off before going into the pre-nuptial conversation they were apparently having as well. In between all of this, Laura came in with two extra large boxes of pizza, almost saving the day.

"Glad I ordered the big ones," she said, sliding them onto the breakfast bar beyond the couches that Rocky and Ross had abandoned for the heavenly smell of grease, tomato sauce, cheese and almost every topping you could dream of. "I couldn't remember Rocky's favorite, so I said to load 'em up. Hope that's okay."

"Babe, I think you just made Rocky the happiest man alive," Ross stood behind her before wrapping his arms around her tiny frame, kissing the side of her head. She moved her face just a little bit, welcoming his thank you kiss before she really saw Rocky in bliss. Looking back at the pizza box on top, there were already four pieces missing.

Tearing off a piece (or three) for himself, Ross headed back to the sofa, and returned his guitar to the empty stand and proceeded to stuff his face with the slice of heaven from their favorite pizza place that although they'd wanted to keep secret was fully out now. He was praying that the other three people in this apartment wouldn't notice though and it would still be their pizza place.

"How was your day?"

She shrugged her own shoulders. "It was okay. Had that meeting at HBO and I was this close from falling asleep at it."

"Why'd you have to go back there again?" He knew she told him this yesterday, but he had probably been more excited about getting to surf that he wasn't paying attention.

"Meetings for Soleste. Before I was in First Aid, I was attached to this project and then the director fell out and producers followed. Now they have a new director and producers and are still wanting to make it."

"Who's the new director?"

"Amanda Lombardi," she said, taking another bite before smirking about the coincidence of the director's last name. "Kind of appropriate."

"Didn't she do that one mini-series...what's it called?"

"The Iris Gardens," Rocky piped in, knowing exactly who the director was. They both looked at him in a bit of shock. While The Iris Gardens was a really good historical mini-series, it wasn't something either of them expected Rocky to watch. "What? Harry was in it."

"How was your guys' day? Sorry about the surf not being there."

"We're hoping it will be tomorrow, but we did get some songwriting done," Rocky informed her and Ross saw her eyes light up. He loved that she loved them making new music. One of their biggest and best fans. "I'll let you hear some later. After that," he pointed towards the kitchen where Rydel and Ellington were still "discussing" his uncle on the guest list.

Laura crinkled up her nose, tiny little wrinkles sprouting out from what Ross liked to call her over thinking face and teased her about it every chance he got. This time however, he wasn't going to. "Wedding stuff?"

The brothers both nodded, opening their mouths and stuffing more slices of pizza in them.

"The bride is always right."

"Thank you, Laura," Rydel plopped down on the sofa, on the other side of the brunette. "At least you're on my side since these two are keeping their traps shut."

"Bride is always right?" Ross questioned her. "Always?"

Laura paused, watching her response. "I feel like you're gonna make me eat my words if I go on."

Ross squeezed her knee. "You know me so well. But, I think it's just as much his wedding as it is hers. The groom should have some say."

"But this uncle, Ross...you have to remember this uncle. The one that got Dad so drunk he crashed our concert."

"The man is still family."

"Yes!" Ellington raised his arms. "Someone who's on my side."

Rydel sent her evil eyes to Ellington and he pulled his arms down immediately before putting her brother on the spot. "So, if this was your wedding, you'd invite that uncle who humiliated your family and still tells stories about it to this day that makes your fiancee cry?"

"I never said that," Ross tried to defend his words. "I'm saying that the guy is still family. Have your dad or someone else talk to him about being on wine lock down or something and no coming within thirty feet of you. I'm also saying that Ellington is still the groom and he has to have some say in what goes on with your wedding."

"He does! Who do you think won the band versus DJ element?"

"Totally won that one with a wink and a smile," Ellington boasted, taking another slice from the now empty first box.

"He also won most of the food, too."

"Best win ever," he muttered before catching Rydel's stare on him. "I mean, expect for becoming Mr. Rydel Lynch, of course."

Rocky nudged him. "Smooth save there, bro."

A little silence overcame the five that occupied the living room...and while Ross was almost content with the way that conversation about their wedding was going, he was actually thankful for the break and hopefully the moving on to the music again. He really wanted to let Laura hear some of the chords they put down today. But apparently, she wasn't ready to...

"Wait, so if it was your wedding and you had that kind of uncle or family member, what would you do? Would you still invite them?" Laura asked, setting her crumpled up napkin on the coffee table they had their feet upon.

"I'd do just what I said a few minutes ago. Most likely put Ryland in charge of that because you know, we gotta keep torturing him somehow." He smirked over at Rocky and Rydel, them both knowing exactly what he was talking about. "You think about this? A wedding...our wedding?"

Laura shrugged her shoulders again. "Not a lot. Ever since I was given the third degree from my parents though...it is in the back of my mind though."

"Speaking of which, who didn't stop Mom from thinking about my wedding that isn't anywhere in the future right now," Ross pointed to Rydel and Rocky, who didn't satisfy him with any kind of answer and kept mum. He looked back down at the girl beside him, and ultimately decided, "You'd want destination."

"You'd want the beach," she nudged him back as he put an arm around her. "And you'd fly us off to a honeymoon in your own plane afterwards."

"Yea, you know me too well." Ross kissed her lips sweetly.

"As much as we'd love to hear about your future nuptials, how about concentrating on ours?" Rydel gestured between her and Ellington. "Invitations are being written up now and this uncle situation is going to delay them."

"And in other news," Rocky interrupted, trying to push the wedding talk to the bottom of the list once again. "We wrote some songs today."

+++

It's funny how you can go from thinking it will be the most perfect day ever to it not being even a hint of a perfect day. Just the day before, they were closer than ever, back to being "Raura", if you could say that and then...then all hell broke loose; and it was all her fault. She couldn't believe what had happened and even more, she couldn't believe that she had been wrong about everything. They had gone from their normal teasing each other like an old married couple their cast mates were used to, to coming out of a private "lunch", she had called it, with him storming out of the room and not looking at her for the rest of the day.

The day before, it was wonderful. They had stayed in bed just talking of random things that came to their minds until after noon and when they finally did get up out of bed, it was only to lounge on the couch together before they emerged for the day. Their winged plans consisted of catching up with Rydel after her business class as USC, where Laura proceeded to ask her to be her plus one to the Creative Arts Emmys, as Ross had other plans for that day. Rydel has accepted, of course and after that, they had gone on a different type of date. A workout one.

She never had a boyfriend, or even a trainer, who made working out so fun. They had challenged each other on squats and she was proud to say that she showed him up in the strength-training before he totally kicked her ass in a spin class. She was such a wimp when it came to any kind of spin class. It wasn't like running where she could actually rock out to her favorite music or see a fantastic view when she was hiking up the hills. The next, and last item on Ross' "workout date" list was swimming and she was all for that. It'd been a while since she had actually even used the pool in her complex but when they got to the pool, Ross' "swimming challenge" was almost like they were going to be qualifying for the Olympics.

When she had pulled off the skin tight cap that had been over her head and he laughed at how her hair wasn't the best, she pushed him back in the water. It was only fair, since he put her through that. As soon as they picked up their healthy smoothies afterwards though and headed out of the most intense, insane and amazing gym ever, drove them straight to In-N-Out for their reward. It was a "eat it, burn it, eat it again" mentality, and most definitely worked for her.

It was the perfect kind of date to prepare them for the press conference the next day...but instead of arriving and leaving together, they had only arrived together and here she was with dried tears on her face instead of a smile. Everything had just blown up in her face and she didn't know what to do next. Did she call him? Does she try and explain everything again to him? Does she just kiss away everything?

I need just a night. Give me a night.